The Independence Fund

Two US Army Veterans will testify before an open session with the US House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health in an upcoming hearing tomorrow, November 20 at 2:30 PM Eastern. The hearing will examine the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) ability to care for Veterans who need amputee prosthetics. Two of the Veterans sharing testimony have been receiving assistance from The Independence Fund in acquiring care from VA. The Independence Fund has worked to advocate for their care and supports prosthetics care reform. Matt Brown, a US Army Veteran and single-leg amputee, faced immense challenges after losing his left leg to bone cancer in August 2021. Left wheelchair-bound as he waited for seven months to receive his first prosthetic, Matt’s journey was marked by a series of hurdles—including an improperly fitted prosthetic that kept him from returning to the life he loved. In October 2023, he reached out to The Independence Fund for assistance. Scott Restivo, a US Army Veteran and single-leg amputee was first injured in Army training. His injury was later aggravated during combat operations from an enemy rocket?propelled grenade. Eventually he went on to lose his leg after a series of complications including infections that nearly killed him. Now, Restivo requires prosthetics to resume mobility, but he has yet to receive all he needs. After his wife spent more than a year advocating for his care, they reached out to The Independence Fund for help. Brown has since received the care he needs, but the fight for Restivo’s needs continue. The Independence Fund is proud to stand by Veterans and advocate for their well-being. Visit https://lnkd.in/ejX4sJRN to learn more and support The Independence Fund in making a difference. To watch the hearing, tune in here tomorrow: https://lnkd.in/g4hsxcAi

Today marks the end of National Veterans Small Business Week! The Independence Fund is proud to celebrate and recognize the incredible Veteran entrepreneurs who continue to serve the community beyond their military service. The Hunter Farm, located in Weddington, North Carolina, is a Veteran-owned business that actively supports Veterans and The Independence Fund's mission. The Hunter Farm generously hosts impactful events with The Independence Fund, including Operation Resilience, and is an advocate and supporter of the Allies program. The Hunter Farm exemplifies the values Veterans bring to their communities—dedication, resilience, and service. This week and beyond, join The Independence Fund in supporting Veteran-owned businesses like The Hunter Farm! By choosing to shop with these businesses, you’re making a difference in the lives of those who’ve served and continue to give back. #VeteransSmallBusinessWeek #TheIndependenceFund #ShopVeteranOwned #NVSBW24

Today The Independence Fund hosted Feeding Independence at the South Charlotte VA Clinic. Volunteers distributed turkeys, pies, essential household supplies, and non-perishables to over 200 Veterans and their families. Thank you to the volunteers and partners who made this event possible including Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina, Hungry Heroes BBQ, Weddington Methodist Church, Visiting Angels Charlotte, NC, Food Lion, Trader Joe's and Prestage Foods of Iowa. The Independence Fund is deeply grateful to these dedicated organizations and many others whose generosity helps make a lasting impact in the lives of Veterans. Feeding Independence is dedicated to assisting at-risk Veterans and their families by providing essential household items at no cost. Donate at https://lnkd.in/ejX4sJRN to help make an even bigger impact at the next Feeding Independence event in December. #TheIndependenceFund #FeedingIndependence #BeAHeroForAHero

Each Veterans Day, The Independence Fund attends the Veterans Day Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. This year, The Independence Fund joined President Biden and Secretary McDonough at the White House for breakfast before laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to pay respect to those Veterans who paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. It is always an honor to take part in this tradition each year. #VeteransDay #TheIndependenceFund #TomboftheUnknownSoldier #ArlingtonNationalCemetary

This week, The Independence Fund proudly celebrates the incredible contributions of Veteran entrepreneurs and the nearly 2 million Veteran-owned businesses across the U.S. Veterans bring unique skills and a commitment to service that strengthens communities. The Independence Fund extends a special thank you to Veteran entrepreneurs like Jason Murff of Grill Your Ass Off. His Veteran-owned business has supported The Independence Fund's mission for years. Jason has participated in impactful events like Operation Resilience, Feeding Independence, and Targeting a Solution, and he has generously donated a portion of sales profits from various products to the Mobility program. Jason’s dedication makes a meaningful impact in the lives of our nation’s heroes. The Independence Fund is honored to support Veterans like Jason. Join in by championing Veteran-owned businesses and shopping small this week and beyond! #VeteransSmallBusinessWeek #TheIndependenceFund #ShopVeteranOwned #NVSBW24

On November 7, 2024, members of the U.S. Army's 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry (1-17 IN) gathered in Charlotte to participate in The Independence Fund’s Operation Resilience (OpRes) program. This unit tragically lost 22 men while serving in the Arghandab River Valley and has since suffered the heartbreaking losses of more than a dozen to Veteran suicide. During the four-day retreat, these Veterans strengthened the bonds of brotherhood forged in battle through shared activities and workshops. OpRes is designed to support the mental health and well-being of combat Veterans, ultimately bringing them together to prevent suicide and improve life after service. Over the weekend, these Veterans enjoyed a challenging ruck across Uptown Charlotte, a visit to Trackhouse Racing, a Charlotte Checkers game, and more! Thank you to Charlotte Checkers, Trackhouse Entertainment Group and The Hunter Farm for making this weekend possible! To learn more about how you can help support this program, visit https://lnkd.in/gMVQK_Ju #BeAHeroForAHero #TheIndependenceFund #OperationResilience #Veterans

This Veterans Day weekend, The Independence Fund hosted 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry (1-17IN) for Operation Resilience. This unit endured the devastating loss of 22 men during their service in Afghanistan. Tragically, since returning home, they have faced the loss of over a dozen more to Veteran suicide. Operation Resilience brings together Veterans from the units in which they served, helping to restore the bonds of camaraderie and trust. This unique four-day retreat provides a supportive environment for Veterans to reconnect, share their experiences, and assist each other on their healing journeys. During this retreat, the members of 1-17 IN were able to rebuild their sense of unity, strength, and resilience. No one should have to walk the path of healing alone. This Veterans Day, choose to support The Independence Fund in changing lives by donating today: https://lnkd.in/ejX4sJRN #VeteransDay #TheIndependenceFund #BeAHeroForAHero #Veteran

This Veterans Day, The Independence Fund honors the brave men and women who bravely and selflessly served in our nation’s armed forces. Thank you for your sacrifice, dedication, and unwavering commitment to protecting freedom! Your courage, resilience, and commitment to service are truly inspiring. The price of freedom is high—never forget to honor those who have sacrificed so much in its defense. Video by: David Cobb Photography #TheIndependenceFund #BeAHeroForAHero #VeteransDay2024 #VeteransDay

Happy Birthday to the United States Marine Corps! Today, The Independence Fund proudly celebrates the legacy, courage, and unwavering dedication of the men and women of the United States Marine Corps. For 249 years, the Marine Corps has exemplified honor, courage, and commitment, standing ready to defend our nation and protect freedom around the world. To all Marines—past, present, and future—thank you for your service, resilience, and bravery. The Independence Fund is proud to stand alongside Marine Corps Veterans like Chris Miller (pictured) to help restore independence through the Mobility program and much more! #Marines #MarineCorpsBirthday #SemperFi #USMC #Veterans #TheIndependenceFund #BeAHeroForAHero

The Independence Fund was honored to participate in the Annual Veterans Day Breakfast at High Point University alongside Kappa Alpha Order. Thanks to the incredible fundraising efforts of High Point University, over $100,000 was raised to purchase four trackchairs for catastrophically wounded veterans. Two of these trackchairs were gifted today, with the remaining two being presented at a later date. Cory Muzzy, a U.S. Army veteran from New Mexico, received a trackchair at today’s breakfast event. A training accident at Fort Bragg left him with severe injuries, resulting in blindness and the loss of both legs. Cory faces significant challenges in his daily life, struggling to navigate uneven surfaces and often relying on others for assistance. His new all-terrain trackchair will help him move around more easily and keep up with his boys. Also receiving an all-terrain trackchair at today’s Veterans Day Breakfast was U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, James King. James served for more than nine years before a roadside bomb severely injured him, ending his military service. He has undergone multiple surgeries and lost his left leg, which now requires a prosthetic. Through Operation KARE, Kappa Alpha Order, has raised over $1 million to support catastrophically wounded Veterans.?? To learn more about how you can make a difference in the lives of wounded Veterans like Cory and James, visit https://lnkd.in/ejX4sJRN and consider donating today! #VeteransDay #TheIndependenceFund #BeAHeroForAHero #Veteran